Many hobbyists have expanded their tools to include laser engravers. Two excellent engravers on the market are the SCULPFUN S9 and the ATOMSTACK X7 Pro. Both offer great features; however, we will be comparing them based on safety, engraving size, and laser focus. We will base our recommendation on user skill level as well as project needs.
SCULPFUN S9
With an all-metal frame, the S9 offers users stability and accuracy with engraving. It features a modifiable engraving area, easy assembly, and precision focus.
Data is transmitted via a USB connection. Acceptable image formats are PNG, BMP, NC, JPG, DXF, and other image files. It works with both Windows and Mac operating systems. It operates with various cutting software such as LightGRBL, GrblController, Benbox, LightFire, andLightBurn. PMW engraving is also supported.
Engraving accuracy is 0.01 mm. The engraving area of 410 x 420 mm is modifiable.It can be adjusted to reach a size of 410 x 2000 mm. It can cut both 15 mm wood and 10 mm acrylic. It can also carve ceramics and stainless steel.
Featuring precise scale lines, the X-axis and Y-axis allow for quickmeasuring of the size of the engraving surface.
The S9’s laser power is 5.5 – 6 W. It has a laser focus of 0.06 x 0.06 mm. It combines a sliding design with a fixed focus lens. This means users only need to slide the lens and tighten the screws to focus the laser.
Assembly is easy, taking only 10 – 20 minutes. The engraver features a laser cover that filters 98% of ultraviolet light, protecting users’ eyes.
The S9 comes equipped with a convenient power switch. It also comes with a steel pad. This pad will protect the tabletop from damage as well as reduce fire hazards.
The S9 comes with a 12-month warranty. SCULPFUN also offers 24/7 customer service.
ATOMSTACK X7 Pro
The X7 Pro offers stability in addition to many other great features. It features double compression spot coupling technology, Windows compatibility, and a horizontal gyroscope.
Like the S9, the X7 Pro offers a large engraving area, although it is slightly smaller. Unlike the S9, the X7 Pro does not have as fine of a laser focus. Additionally, it does not have an expandable engraving area.
The X7 Pro features a horizontal gyroscope. This means that if the unit experiences more than 20 degrees of disturbance during the engraving process, it will automatically stop engraving.
The engraver adopts double compression spot coupling technology. This means that two 5 W laser sources are coupled into one single 10 W light source. This light source has a reduced focal area of 0.08 x 0.15 mm. The engraver can cut 10 mm wood panels and 6 – 8 mm black acrylic. It can also cut cardboard, thin plastic board, non-woven fabric, and sponge. It can engrave glass, various metal materials, ceramics, wood, cardboard, plastic, bamboo, leather, PCB board, alumina, cotton cloth, and slate. The engraving speed can reach 13,000 mm/min.
The X7 Pro has several important safety features. It includes an emergency stop button, a reset switch, and a limiter. It also controls the machine through physical buttons.
The UI can function offline. This means that a computer does not have to be hooked up for the engraver to work.
Additionally, the engraver features panoramic glass that covers the laser. It filters 97% of the ultraviolet light, protecting users’ eyes. This means that people around the engravers will not need to wear goggles, reducing the cost of having to purchase them.
The X7 Pro has an all-aluminum structure. This makes the machine more durable, improving the accuracy of engraving. The structure has been designed for fast assembly, which generally takes only 10 – 20 minutes.
Data transmission is through a USB connection. Operating software includes LaserGRBL and LightBurn. The X7 Pro supports Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Acceptable file types are NC, JPG, BMP, DXF, and PNG.
ATOMSTACK provides users with one year of free replacement parts and permanent customer service for technical needs.
Our Recommendation
Both laser engravers offer excellent specifications. However, we must break down the differences before users make a purchasing commitment between the two. The S9 offers an expandable engraving area, super fine laser focus, and a steel pad that helps prevent fires. We recommend this engraver for users who need to expand the engraving area to make extra-large projects. Additionally, it is suitable for entry-level engravers.
On the other hand, the X7 Pro features a large engraving area that is not expandable and several important safety features. We recommend this engraver for users who need to produce large projects. It is also suitable for entry-level users.